Baby Peter Sentence Appeal Won

A prisoner serving a sentence for playing a part in the death of a neglected child - known as Baby P during the trial into his death - has won an appeal against his term.

Jason Owen, 37, was originally given an indeterminate punishment to protect the public - with a minimum term of three years - at the Old Bailey in May this year.

Now, he has won an appeal against his indefinite sentence - and will now serve a six-year prison term.

The Court of Appeal in London has now ruled he should have an exact prison sentence for causing or allowing the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly who died after sustaining dozens of injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken back, in north London.

Owen, of Bromley, Kent, was jailed along with Peter's mother Tracey Connelly, 28, of Tottenham, north London, and her boyfriend Steven Barker, 33, over the abuse.

Owen - who is Barker's brother but changed his name after the child's death - had been staying at the boy's home with his 15-year-old girlfriend.

At the appeal, Tim Roberts QC argued that Owen's indefinite sentence was "wrong in principle" as there was no evidence he posed a significant risk to the public in the future.

Lord Justice Hughes said: "(Owen's) present offence is deeply unpleasant because a completely innocent child, who he could have protected, was not protected by him against harm by others.

"He displays a willingness to deceive... which is unattractive, but to translate that into a significant risk that he will himself in the future commit offences involving death or serious personal injury to the public is... simply a step too far."

The judge said the important issue was "whether there was a demonstrated risk of future death or serious injury at (Owen's) hands".

Peter was found dead in a blood-spattered cot in August 2007.

He had more than 50 injuries, despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, doctors and police.

The mother of Baby P, who was also imprisoned indefinitely for her part in her little boy's brutal death, has now dropped a bid to appeal against her sentence.

Tracey Connelly, 28, who was jailed at the Old Bailey in May, was expected to have an application heard at the Court of Appeal on Monday.

But it emerged yesterday that Connelly, who was ordered to serve at least five years behind bars, has abandoned her appeal.

(BMcC/GK)